stupefying

Stupefying is the present participle of the verb stupefy. In general use, it describes something that causes astonishment, disbelief, or bewilderment, often to the point of momentarily impairing a person’s ability to think or respond. It can also refer to something that dulls the senses or consciousness, though this literal sense overlaps with medical terminology related to stupor.

Etymology and history: the word derives from Latin stupere, meaning to be stunned or numb, combined in the sense of making numb with the verb stupefacere. English adopts the form stupefy from this compound, with the -fy suffix signaling a causative or resultative action. The term entered English in the early modern period, with the -ing form developing into an adjective in later usage.

Usage and nuance: stupefying can describe events, performances, or statements that are astonishing to the point of disbelief, as in a "stupefying display of skill." It can also apply to experiences that leave someone numb or speechless, such as "a stupefying turn of events." In medical or descriptive contexts, the sense overlaps with stupor, a state of near-unconsciousness or insensibility, though stupefying in ordinary language is usually figurative.

Related terms: stupefied (adjective), stupor (noun), stupify (verb), and stupendous (related through the Latin root but with a distinct meaning).